The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-06-01
MANY MARRIAGES.
A Polygnmous Husband, Who EclIpses the
81. H.rE ..... n.part g."

IL prOUauly unphralleu. ne uleo last week
at his big farm on the Orange Mountains,
or rather in Washington Valley, near by,
and over his handsome estate has begun
a fight by his numerous wives.
Holmes' pretty country homo bag Heen
many mfstresaes during the paat % years.
His former wives have been appearing on
the scene at the rate Of one and two a day
since the morning he died. All but the
last have children, and the claims and
counter claims likely to arice in disen-
tapglipgt the muddle have made the lawyers
in the vicinity smile.
To complicate the matters thero have
been arrests and threats Of other arrests,
and the end is not yet. At one time there
were three women staying at the home
stead who claimed Holmes ss their lord
and master, while his liieless body lay cold
in death in the room below, and single
candle dickered at hia head. =
On account OF Holmes checkered career
the announcement OF his audden death
sroueed suspicious. DR.. L. T. Fritts. who
had attended him few days previously,
refused to give death certificate, and
said that when he had last seen Holmes
alive he was apparently well. Coroner
Sutphan, Of Somervilie, Was then sum.
moned, and also refused to give death
certificate until last Saturday, when one
was made ont in proper form, alleging
cerebral apoplexy as the cause OF death.
At the time OF his death there we're
present Holmes young and latest wife,
Katie, his young son, Charles, and his old
est con, Wallace, and his last no.her.in
law, Mrs. Meadows. Three hours after
his death Katie took the train for New
York and consulted her lawyer. On his
advice she Immediately removed all the
maps, which are said to be very valuable,
and the papers from Holmes Office.
While this was going on Mrs. Browning,
Of New York City, Who Was Mary Sulii.
van, was for q number OF years one Of
Holmes wives, had gone to Pl,infeld, in
respongetoatelegrsmirom her son Charles.
Mr.. Meadows WAS dumbiounLed when
Mrs. Browning made her appearance and
unfolded little OF Holmes record. So,
alao, was Katie, when she returned in the
evening with her father and two brothers.
The next day was spent by the two wives
in discussing the situation, and on Satur.
day Katie again went TO New York to con.
sult her lawyer. AS result she informed
Mrs. Browning that she must seek quar-.
ters elsewhere. This lady stayed short
time longer 10 show that she could not be
bulldozed, and then took up her abode
with Mrs. Gordon, a neighbor.
ONLY ONE WIFE AT THE FUNERAL.
The only wife at the funeral last Mon.
day was Katie. Holmes five children
we're there, but their mothers remained
away for reasons best known 10 them.
selves. His first wife and her daughter
knew nothing OF his death, and were not
present.
Mrs. Anna NJ. Holmes, Of Brooklyn, the
genuine first wife, arrived in Plainield
in company with her counsel, Arthur P.
Miller, and Immediately went 10 Somer.
vile, the county eeat OF Somerset county,
and filed her application with Surrogate
Long ior letters OF administration. There
was already on file letter from J. II. Van
Winkle, counsel Tor Katie, the last wife,
which stated that she intended to apply
Tor letters oil administration in few days.
Holmes left no will which can be found,
and as he was not man TO look ahead
day, it ia not supposed that he ever
made any.
Holmes history ia interesting. He was
born in the East Indies, and would have
been 60 years OF ago had he lived until
June !, although the death certificate
makes him but IS. He was married In
1888, in Cork, Ireland, to q young girl Of
IL, who survives him. and who Is tho
woman who has applied for lettors OF ad.
ministration on the estate. In 1910 he
came 10 this country, but returned in 1874.
He again came to New York, in lSiS, but
while in London he made the acquaint.
ance OF Belle Haddigan. He after.
wards sent for her, and she followed
him. This was tho commencement OF his
aniqHe career About tbis time no be-.
cams very active in politics. He resided
in the First ward OF New York city, and
waH candidate for Alderman on the
Tammany ticket. A few dsys before the
election he became engaged In street
row and killed policeman. lie was in
diCted ior granddaughter, but the jury dis
! agreed md the charge xaB dropped.
Shortly alter he became acquainted with
q woman named Ada Kerr, whom lie
afterwaIdg married. II wRs abont this
time that his hrat vile and daughter left
him and went to liys With his mother.
| While living with AdR Ksrr an his wife he
wished 10 dispose OF SONS real eatate, and
and, 10 shG would not sign the deeds, he
fnrvpl hpr mama and pprrrpI Rnnthpr uO,